Wren Library

The Wren Library was completed in 1695 to the design of Sir Christopher Wren. Today it contains the manuscripts and printed books which were in the college library by 1820, together with various special collections given to the college during the last 180 years. Among the special collections housed in the Wren are 1250 medieval manuscripts; the Capell collection of early Shakespeare editions; many books from Sir Isaac Newton's own library, the Rothschild collection of 18th century English literature and A.A. Milne's manuscripts of Winnie-the-Pooh and The house at Pooh Corner. The library also contains growing collections of 19th and 20th century papers (housed not in the Wren but in a purpose built underground archive) including Wittgenstein's notebooks, the papers of R.A. Butler (Conservative politician and Master of Trinity 1965-1978), the papers of D.H. Robertson and Piero Sraffa (economists) and many others. The Wren is open to visiting readers and tourists at certain times. Take a virtual tour of the library to explore its history and architecture.